During his visit in Israel, Republic of Cyprus President Demetris Christofias met yesterday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the President Shimon Peres and the Foreign Minister Avigktor Lieberman. The meetings heralded the beginning of a new cooperation between the two countries at a political and economic level. Great emphasis was given to the subject of exploitation of hydrocarbons in the area between the two countries. The development of a working group was discussed, that will examine the possibility of transporting natural gas from the Leviathan reservoir to Cyprus and to the rest of the European Union. Shimon Pere,s in his speech at the official dinner last night, stated, that the discovery of natural gas will reduce our dependence on traditional fuel producers and will benefit both our people.

Today President Christofias will attend and greet a business forum that will be held in Tel Aviv with the participation of both Cypriot and Israeli businessmen.